PICTURES: £420k Postcode Lottery win for Dornoch residents
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Ten people in Dornoch, including a healthcare support worker, a Royal British Legion volunteer and a retired nurse, are celebrating after winning a share of £420,000.
The neighbours won the money when their postcode - IV25 3NN - was announced as a winner with People’s Postcode Lottery on Sunday, October 16.
Seven of the winners got a cheque for £30,000. Two more winners doubled their prize to £60,000 thanks to playing with two tickets, whicle a tenth person playing with three tickets won £90,000.
Donald McNeil, who volunteers with the Royal British Legion, was joined by wife Brenda when he got the news he’d won £60,000.
71-year-old Donald said: “It’s surreal, I’m gobsmacked.”
Brenda, a retired florist who is originally from Kent, has big plans for the prize. She said: “I want a campervan so we can go around Scotland!”
Donald joked: “I’m sure there will be a little bit left over for Brenda to spend!”
Sixty-two-year-old Sandra Macdonald, who works as a healthcare support worker at the local hospital in Golspie, won £30,000. She was joined by husband James when she got the news and described the money as ‘life changing’.
On seeing how much she’d won, Sandra said: “Oh my goodness me – that is absolutely fantastic!”
Sandra has continued to play with the winning postcode despite moving five years ago. She said: “I lived here for 35 years and my bairns were born here so when they said I could keep playing with the postcode I did.
“We can do so much with an amount like that, what an opportunity for us. It’s life changing.”
Retired nurse Angela Gunn was another £30,0000 winner.
She said: “I’m a bit overwhelmed but it’s a good feeling – I never thought I would win!”
Seventy-year-old Angela plans to help her family with the windfall. She said: “My son has been offered a house and he’s not got much to put in it so that’ll help him out. I might treat myself to a holiday as well.”
Sixty-four-year-old Donald Macdonald, who is a retired fireman and former Highland Council worker, was another £30,000 winner.
He said: “That’s a lovely surprise – my luck has come in!”
“I would like a motorhome but I thought it was out of my reach until now. I’ve got three grandchildren and I’m sure they could do with a few pennies in the bank too.
“It’s a big boost to the bank balance so I’m happy with that.”
Sixty-four-year-old Isabel Gillespie, who works as a self-employed bookkeeper, also won £30,000.
She said: “I’ve never had £30,000 in the bank before, so this is a first! It feels absolutely fantastic, I can’t believe it.
“I’ve got heaps of things I could spend it on. I’m going to Lanzarote next month so it’ll help towards that. I’ve got two daughters as well, so I’m sure they’ll get some treats too!”
The remaining winners have chosen to stay anonymous but the prize will be paid into their bank account.
Postcode Lottery ambassador Danyl Johnson said: “It was fabulous to deliver lots of golden envelopes and good news to our lucky winners in Dornoch. I hope they have a great time celebrating and treating themselves with the money.”
People’s Postcode Lottery costs £10 a month to play and there are guaranteed winners every day. People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have helped raise over £900 million to date for thousands of good causes across Britain and internationally.
